Nonprofit Copywriting Resources And Tips To Make You More Money
Nonprofit copywriting (copywriting for non-profit organizations) is a great way to earn a living while also contributing your share to your country or even the entire world.
Almost everyone alive, no matter who they are, wants to help others. The problem is – there’s only so much time to go around and we get caught up in doing things for ourself…forgetting everyone else!
But if you’re a copywriter and also want to help others in the meantime, nonprofit copywriting is the way to go.
Here are a few tips that should get you started. We’ll start with the resources…
Where To Get Nonprofit Copywriting Information
As with any copywriting niche, there are a few things you should be reading to start understanding the mindset of non-profit organization prospects. You can start with the following publications:
Philanthropy
http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org
Food For Thought
Philanthropy Journal
http://www.philanthropyjournal.org
Chronicle of Philanthropy
http://www.philanthropy.com
By reading into these publications you’ll have a better understanding of the emotions you should be hitting on, as well as the problems the organizations you’ll be working for are currently facing. And as well all know, if you can show a business you can solve their problems – you’re going to get hired!
A Few Nonprofit Copywriting Secrets
This next sentence may sound harsh, but realizing I’m saying it not to be cold-hearted but rather to help you out.
When writing a fundraising letter, you have to forget about what’s happening to the people you’re trying to help. Although it seems like that’s what would “sell” people to make donations, it really doesn’t.
Again, it all comes down to the benefits.
You should focus on exactly what happens to their money when they make donations. Talk about how each dollar is going to give 10 kids clean water to drink. Mention that with each $10 – they’ll be able to save 3 lives.
Now that I think about it…that’s exactly what made me start donating. Funny how that works, isn’t it?
Diving a bit deeper, think about the trust issues most people have with non-profit organizations. They want to make sure their money is going to actually do something instead of paying for the directors new BMW. That means you need to keep pounding into their heads exactly what their money is going to do.
If you want to mention how bad the situations are – do it like this…
Pick an area you want to talk about. For example, if it’s a river cleanup project you can mention how dirty the river area is. But follow it up by talking about how their money is going to not only clean it up, but also provide extra drinking water. Talk about how a new community area will be which will be the only clean place these children can play.
Get what I mean?
Who Are You Selling To?
As with any other area of copywriting, nonprofit copywriting requires that you know exactly who is getting the message.
Is it a first time donation, someone who’s never heard about the company, or someone who’s been donating for years?
Make sure you know exactly who will be getting the letter, and try to put yourself in their shoes and figure out what they’d want to hear.
Although nonprofit copywriting isn’t the most lucrative niche in the world, it’s probably the most fulfilling – provided you’re writing for a credible organization.
Stick with it though, and you’ll get in with some of the national organizations where you can make as much money as copywriters in almost any other niche.
To the life you’ve always dreamed…
Jeremy
